Rose_Thorne

Look once, look away, look again.

You've now seen the same cat twice.

I have more heavily played with fellow theatre kids and LARPers, people who generally thrive when really getting into character.

To that end, I have a lot more experience with letting my players guide the plot through tools like "Yes, and?" and other improv work. I wouldn't call it "balanced", but it has taught me to more build a highly flexible skeleton for a story, with large gaps to allow for downtime or sudden diversions.

There is also the experience factor, though. When people better understand the game, and their DM/GM, some find that outlet, that flow of creativity, that allows for the more "extra" sides to come out.

To that point, I also heavily reward roleplay and creative problem-solving. I prefer to run Milestone levels over EXP gain, but being generous with things like gear, trinkets, Inspiration points, all can work as a carrot to help guide people to express and engage in that side more.

In the end, though, it comes down to your table. I have had players who cut their teeth on AD&D who wanted dungeon crawling grinders, newbies who have wanted to spend months in some little fishing village feeling immersed in the world, or people who just wanted to enjoy a nice, basic module for awhile.

Finding what works really takes engaging with your table, asking them what they're looking for out of the game, and working with them to achieve that. Be encouraging, both in and out of game. If someone does want to go that extra mile, help them do so, and they're more likely to continue with it. That goes for every facet of the game, every type of player.

On one hand, the inevitable urge to hit them with the 1d100 Psychic damage.

On the other hand, the respect and dedication to the craft that deserves a reward.

To balance it out, you make them keep the accent up. Let them go answer the door for the pizza delivery. Listen as they have to declare "This be fine booty, me crew eats well this night. No mutiny be had. Take your coin, kingsdog, and may the brine not take ye!"

There's a reason they have a theme song.

If only we had a Generic Universal RolePlaying System. You could even give it a clever name, like G.U.R.P.S.

"You also never asked why my arrows all have a Poison effect."

"NEVER. MIND."

This comes down to the niche they serve in the party.

To a Barbarian, another Barb is someone else beating things down. They can do their job more effectively together, and still have fun doing it.

To a Rogue, a second Rogue is just someone who's going to steal all the good shit from the first, who stole all their good shit from the rest of the party while everyone else slept. If you had to dedicate a full night to just quietly stripping the armor off the Paladin, do you really want some prick who's going to turn around to steal the armor you just rightfully stole‽

Wonder which ward they're going to shove us in, with the people suffering from syphilis or the women with opinions.

The biggest secret to fashion is confidence. Go with what makes you think you look good, and own it.

Styles are merely loose guidelines that can be tweaked, matched, and altered to fit how you want to dress, and there's a whole world out there.

You can still catch people with the old "You didn't find any traps".

There's a terrifying amount of people who don't pay attention to the You part.

Genuinely, good for you! It's amazing how small things can make us feel more like ourselves. I know lip gloss is a huge one for me, I don't know what it is, but I just feel more feminine.

Best of luck on your journey of self-discovery, and remember that whatever lays at the end of the path, you're valid and supported in it. :3

Very happy to help! Dyeing hair is a beautiful form of self-expression, and I'm happy to encourage it any way I can. :3